May 27, 2011
IN THE ST NEWSPAPER TODAY
New loan-shark tactic targets cars
Businessman is said to have splashed corrosive liquid on several cars at random
By Jalelah Abu Baker
Cars damaged by corrosive liquid even though the owners did not owe any money. The man is believed to be behind at least 25 cases of loan shark harassment islandwide over the past month. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
A BUSINESSMAN turned suspected loan shark runner has been arrested for allegedly splashing corrosive liquid on cars.
The vehicles' owners did not even owe money, police said. Instead, they appear to have been targeted at random in order to send a message to debtors islandwide.
Notes were left on the cars saying 'owe money, pay money' and giving the addresses of debtors who lived in completely different areas of Singapore.
The 35-year-old, who was arrested on Wednesday, is also suspected of setting fire to the doors of homes, splashing them with paint and scrawling graffiti.
He is believed to be behind at least 25 cases of loan shark harassment islandwide over the past month.
'We note that the tactics have become more vicious,' Superintendent Chua Chuan Seng told a press conference at police headquarters in Novena.
Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
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